Teen charged with arson in Cass County wildfire

CASS LAKE, Minn. — A 17-year-old Cass Lake boy allegedly set a fire that damaged about 70 acres and threatened about 10 homes in Cass County because mosquitoes were bothering him.

The teen was charged with felony wildfire arson. He appeared in court Friday and was ordered detained. Prosecutors are asking that he be certified as an adult.

Police say authorities received a report of a forest fire Wednesday afternoon along state Highway 371 near the Pike Bay Town Hall. A deputy saw two fires and found the teen in the woods. He was arrested after a chase.

The Cass County Attorney's Office says the teen initially denied setting the fires, but then said he started the second blaze because mosquitoes were bothering him.